South Queensferry ballet dancer is shining star at prestigious dance school

A talented youngster from South Queensferry has been earmarked as an outstanding student of a UK ballet school run by a world-famous dancer and is setting her sights on a career on stage as a professional ballerina.

Abbie Garmany, a 15-year-old student from Queensferry High School has spent lockdown working towards her dream of making a mark on the big stage by training with the prestigious Edinburgh Festival Ballet school.

She was accepted onto the school’s part-time course, established by the world-famous ballet dancer, choreographer, director and Olivier award-winner Peter Schaufuss, who in his stellar career, has performed and directed all over the world with leading companies including Kirov Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Ballet and New York City Ballet.

Abbie, who started dancing with Central Scotland Ballet School in South Queensferry when she was just three-years-old, said: “I fell in love with ballet when I watched The Nutcracker for the first time as a child. Once I finish my training, I’d love to join a professional ballet company so I can travel the world performing.

EFB school principal Johan Christensen (right) and tutor Luke Schaufuss

“When I was offered a place to train at Edinburgh Festival Ballet after my audition I couldn’t believe it. Peter Schaufuss is such a big name in the dance world and getting to train with him is an unbelievable opportunity.”

Edinburgh Festival Ballet continued with distanced classes until December in its newly-refurbished, state-of-the-art Ashton Studio in St Stephen Street but has since moved classes online.

The prestigious dance school is currently accepting applications for its part-time and full-time schools, with auditions to take place online and in person when possible in the coming months.

School principal Christensen said: “Abbie is a great example of what can be achieved by students. Both sections of the school — part-time and full-time — present opportunities for aspiring dancers to learn from those that have been at the highest level of the dance profession.

Abbie, who started dancing with Central Scotland Ballet School in South Queensferry when she was just three fell in love with ballet when she watched The Nutcracker for the first time

“We would welcome applications for our part-time school from dancers across Scotland with similar aspirations to Abbie. Students may be on the way to making a career as a dancer or may not have danced before.”

Youngsters aged 12 and older with ambitions of a career in dance can apply for a place at Edinburgh Festival Ballet’s part-time school on the website or via [email protected].

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